What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law covers accidents which involve commercial truck drivers as well as their rigs. These massive vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Trucking companies often force their drivers to work longer and manipulate logbooks. This can cause trucking accidents to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

It is crucial to know the weight restrictions for semi-trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by the majority of states. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations along interstates where truck drivers are weighed to confirm that they are not exceeding the maximum limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught breaking these limits and is found guilty, they may be fined and even sent to jail subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups have a higher weight limit because the vehicle is more secure when the weight is distributed over a wider range of axles. This also allows for the transport of more cargo. For instance one tire on an axle may be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter, but when there are 2 tires on the same axle, it could be weighed at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are also limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states only allow one trailer while others only allow triple or twin trailers. A lot of states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer, which is a plate which sits over the drive wheels and joins (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Day cab tractors and sleeper cabs can be found. They both come with a sleeping space in the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to restrictions on lane usage truck drivers also must adhere to speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks cannot travel at the same speed as cars for passengers. If they do, accidents could occur. In most cases, the truck driver is the one at fault in these accidents. This is because truck drivers may be driving for longer than is permitted or violate the hours-of-service regulations, or become tired or distracted behind the driving.

Truck drivers are also barred from driving in the left right lane. Trucks brake more slowly than cars for passenger use. This can be a serious problem, especially for people in smaller cars who may be stuck behind the truck when it stops abruptly or slows down.

Some states limit the use of lane lanes in certain circumstances, while others restrict the use of lanes for large trucks. These laws can be based either on weight or axel limits. In other instances they could be based solely on vehicle description.

Even if there's no statewide law regarding lane restrictions you should still look over the local rules and abide by them. Also, you should move to the right if you see a truck in the passing lane, so that it does not block faster cars from approaching you.

Ownership

Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have massive resources to force victims of accidents into accepting far less than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers, engineers, and experts who advocate on their behalf, even before they know if an accident victim will pursue legal action.

Due to their massive load and are much bigger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers frequently cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage in accidents. This is especially so when they are involved in collisions with other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, large corporations.

Accidents involving large vehicles require an in-depth understanding of the concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry and federal regulations for trucking and medicine, driving standards and related fields. Our attorneys have the expertise to uncover violations of these laws and show the jury why it led to your accident.

There are many parties that can be responsible for 18-wheeler truck accidents. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the responsible parties and ensure they pay their fair share of your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking firms as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that might be a factor in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have a wealth of options available and are able to quickly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and lawyers to create a defense against accident victims. They begin this process before they are aware of whether you will seek legal recourse. It is important to retain an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and bringing them down in size.

A seasoned 18 wheeler accident law firms-wheeler crash lawyer will take the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your hands and concentrate on getting you the compensation you deserve. This money can be used to cover medical costs, vehicle damage as well as lost income from missing work, and other non-economic damages like suffering and pain.

18 wheelers are complex vehicles and require a high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure they are safe on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and keep accurate records could result in disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers can be used to transport hazardous substances, 18 wheeler accident lawyer which require specialized training and a license. These materials may be flammable or explosive, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a significant risk to other drivers on American highways. A catastrophic accident could also occur if the load is not properly labelled and secured.

A qualified 18-wheeler accident lawyer can determine the exact cause of your crash and hold accountable any other parties who are responsible. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company or the owner of the trailer, as well as the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is referred to as vicarious responsibility.